One Chance Page #3

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PAUL:

How many have said yes so far?

BRADDON:

(calculating)

S’about... I’m still tinkering with the

approach, but erection is the mother of

invention, yes? Right, what can we do ya

for? Something compact, ‘round five-

hundred minutes a month with unlimited

text and a free shaving kit?

PAUL:

Actually, I was wondering if the

position’s still open.

BRADDON:

The position?

PAUL:

The job.

BRADDON:

You want to work here, what in god’s name

for?

PAUL:

Because I love mobile phones?

BRADDON:

Lying will get you everywhere.

Hands him an application, then snatches it back...

BRADDON (CONT’D)

Have you got a girlfriend?

8.

PAUL:

Yes? Well, sort of-- Not really.

Braddon snatches the application back again...

BRADDON:

Boyfriend then?

PAUL:

Oh no, she’s definitely a girl, I’m sure

of it.

BRADDON:

Okay, as long as you’re sure.

Paul takes the application and gets to work.

EXT. PORT TALBOT STREET - NIGHT

Paul walks home from the interview, passes a pub, The

Forge Tavern, from which numerous UNION MEN have spilled

out onto the sidewalk.

Paul lowers his head and gives the men a wide berth, until

one DRUNK man stumbles into him and “accidentally” drops

his beer.

FIRST DRUNK:

Watch where you’re going, Martha.

PAUL:

Sorry.

He tries not to break stride, but the man grabs his arm

threateningly...

FIRST DRUNK:

Sorry ain’t gonna pay for a new pint, is

it?

Suddenly, the drunk is jerked backwards and ends up on his

ass.

ROLAND:

(standing over him)

I’ll thank you to leave him alone now,

Peter.

FIRST DRUNK:

‘Not my fault he can’t walk straight.

SECOND DRUNK:

Probably ‘cause his teeth are all

crooked.

9.

THIRD DRUNK:

Or it’s that enormous ass of his.

ROLAND:

One more word.

SECOND DRUNK:

And what?

ROLAND:

And your next shift will be in the queue

at the unemployment office.

Finally, they all back down to his seniority. Roland helps

the First Drunk to his feet-

ROLAND (CONT’D)

Now come on Bill and apologize to-

But Paul is gone.

EXT. QUIET STREET - NIGHT

Paul walks down the center of the road. Roland jogs after

him.

ROLAND:

All right?

PAUL:

I’m fine, dad.

ROLAND:

Pete’s a good lad, he’s just in his cups

is all.

Paul doesn’t respond. They walk for a moment.

ROLAND (CONT’D)

Maybe if you joined a fitness club.

Lifted some weights.

PAUL:

Yeah?

ROLAND:

I’m just saying... Maybe losin’ a few

stone you wouldn’t provoke them as much.

Paul looks away; not the first time he’s heard this brand

of logic from his father.

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